The Great Depression Quiz

Hey, turn that frown upside down — our Great Depression quiz is designed to make even the saddest history buff smile. From the stock market crash to the New Deal, pull yourself out of the dumps with a little trivia from a time when things were really bad.

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Question 1 of 30

When did the Great Depression start?

1929

Keep in mind that we're talking the Great Depression in the United States; there were other depressions around the world at somewhat different times.

1930

1921

Question 2 of 30

Businesses made a 65 percent leap in gains during the 1920s, but worker's salaries only increased by what percentage?

12 percent

8 percent

So many people making too little money was not a recipe for a healthy economy.

45 percent

Question 3 of 30

In summer 1929, the Depression was simply a recession. What's a recession, again?

businesses start going bankrupt

economic activity slows

There's no huge tanking, but there's generally a couple of down quarters for the gross domestic product (GDP).

Interest rates go way up

Question 4 of 30

Between 1921 and 1929, prices swelled four times larger in what economic area?

manufacturing

housing

stocks

Stocks prices shot up in the '20s, so the Federal Reserve raised interest rates.

Question 5 of 30

Because interest rates were raised, what happened?

banks began closing

people and businesses slowed spending on loans

Higher interest rates meant no one was all that interested in new construction or making more expensive purchases.

everyone started buying more stocks in a panic

Question 6 of 30

Before the Great Depression, the government traditionally took what role in an economic downturn:

It monitored closely.

an extremely heavy-handed role

a very limited role

Believing that the market would help even out any big dips, government took a limited role before the Great Depression.

Question 7 of 30

October 24, 1929 is commonly referred to as what?

Sour Friday

Black Thursday

Though many were probably feeling pretty sour that Friday, you can bet.

Panic Wednesday

Question 8 of 30

What happened on Black Thursday?

People began panicking and selling off stocks at enormous rates.

Realizing that the enormous stock market bubble was vulnerable, momentum grew as more and more people began selling off stocks.